Can we officially put the phrase “selling out” out to pasture? Faced with a music industry that doesn’t know which end is up, I can’t fault artists for maximizing whatever revenue streams may trickle toward them. Exposure is the lifeline, especially in these economically troubling times.

So when Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), current indie-press darling Santogold, and Pharrell Williams (N.E.R.D., The Neptunes) teamed up to create an exclusive ditty for Converse, I didn’t cry foul. If brands like the iconic sneaker maker are willing to foot the recording studio bill in a bid to remain relevant to fickle footwear fans, let us judge only the mixed-and-mastered results. Well, the Chuck Taylor Trio’s “My Drive Thru” isn’t half-bad, especially since it’s a free download. If, like me, you’re late to this particular game (the tune’s been up for a couple of weeks), grab it while you can.

(Speaking of half-bad—or so bad it’s good—anyone got a spare Caress code so I can nab Nicole Scherzinger’s cover of Duran Duran’s “Rio”? Seriously.)

Sounds like Coldplay has a thing for Santogold, too. The Ashlee Simpson songwriter is opening for the Billboard chart champs on several of its upcoming North American tour dates (nixing her Lollapalooza gig as a result).